Computing-scale.



Patented May 22, |900. J. W. CULMER. f COMPUTING SCALE.

(Application filed Nov. 30, 1898.)

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

Lm: Norms PETERS cm PHQTGLITHQ, wAsHlNuToN, n. c.

No. 650,23I. Patented May 22, |900.

J. W. CULMER. Y

COMPUTING s'cALl-z.

(Applieaion' med Nov. 3o, 189s.)

(No Model.) 2 SheetsA-Sheet 2.

UNITED STATES i PATENT Ormes.

J'OnN w. CU'LMER, or CLEVELAND, OHIO, AssieNoR To Trie NATIONALCOMPUTING sCALE COMPANY, orsAMn PLACE.

CoMPUTiNsCALE.

SIPECIFICA.IONv forming part of Letters Patent No. 650,231, dated May22, 1900; Application lcd November 30j 1898. Serial No. 697,832; [Nomodel.)

T0 @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that'I, JOHN IV. CULMER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cleve` land, in the County of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Computingscales,of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to a computingescale, and it is particularlyapplicable to the Class known to the art as even balances.

The invention has for its objects the organization of a struoture'whichwill support its several elements squarely upon its pivots,and thusavoid torsion of the beam and undue load upon the working side, whichwill automatically move the computing-chart to bring into view after thescale has been set for the selected rate figures which indicate valuesof articles balanced by the sliding poise and an added counterweight andwill when the counterweight is removed automatically return thecomputing-chart to the position wherein it will indicate values ofarticles balanced by the sliding poise alone, which will furnish alarger number of computations based upon a greater range of prices thanlike scales now in use, and which will be simple, durable, and easilyoperatable.

lThe invention consists in the novel construction and combination of theseveral parts, as will be hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of a scale embodying myinvention, a part of the computing-chart case being broken away to showthe chart. Fig. 2 is a plan view of said scale. Fig. 3 is an end view.Fig. 4 is a sectional end view, the section being on line 4 4 of Fig. 1.Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the projecting end of theshaft of roller M and the mechanism carried thereby, and Fig. 6 is asectional View on line 6 6 ofFig. 5 looking in the direction indicatedby the arrow.

Referring to the parts by letters, K represents the hollow base of thescale, which may have any convenient form. Midway between its ends is avertical standard Zz, (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1,) whichcarries at its upper end a crotch-'bar 7d, in the ends of which the beamA is fulcrumed. The beam, as shown, is an open frame, having theparallel front and rear sides ct ct and the connecting cross-bars ft2ft2. (Shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.) The knife-edges a3 a3, whichserve as the fulcrum of the beam, are secured to said side bars ct ctand rest upon the bearings provided for them in thel ends of thecrotch'- bar 7e. Two pairs of alined knifeedges a4 a5 (shown in dottedlines in Fig. 2) are secured tothe side bars of the beam at equaldistances from its f ulcrum. The crotchbars C C are supported on theseknife-edges, and each crotch-bar has a stem c, which eX- tendsvertically down into the base, where the small check-rods or othermechanism may be provided for maintaining these stems in the verticalposition as the beam vibrates on its fulcrum. The crotch-bar C has theloadsupporting platform F secured to its upper Vside by means of thefeet f. A counterweightholder, which is shownin the form of a platformD, is movably supported on the crotchbar C by means which will bepresently explained.

The cross-bars H H are secured to the ends of the beam or frame Aby anysuitable means. These barsy extend both in front and behind the beam.TheV bar J, which is graduated to indicate weights, is secured to thefront ends of these cross-bars. A bar L is secured to their rear ends,and this bar serves to counterbalance in Whole or in part the weightcarried by the beam in front of its pivots, Whereby both fulcrumknife-edges a3 a3 are held squarely on the bearings provided for them.

These cross-bars H are also extended forward and downward, andto theseextensions h is secured the case E, which supports and incloses thecomputing-chart. This computing-chart may be the surface of acylinderas, for example, the cylindrical roller M shown in Fig. 4-and insuch event the chart-case will be of suitable form to contain it. In theconstruction shown, however, which is be= lieved to ybe the best, thecomputing-chart is in the form of an endless belt Gr, which encirclesthe two rollers M M,which are mounted in the ends of the case. The caseis suitably shaped to hold these rollers and the endless belt, havingthe substantially-straight front and rear sides and semicircular upperand lower ends. This case is secured in an inclined position to thecross-bars H 1 'I, whereby the lower rear end of said case extends backbeyond the front beam-pivot. The weight of the case does not thereforeso much tend to lift the rear fulcrum knife-edge from their bearings asit would if the weight of said case were supported wholly in front ofboth fulcrum-pivots. In the top of this case is a slot e, which extendsfrom end to end and through which the indicating-figures on theendless-belt chart may be read. b

The endless-belt chart has on its outer surface a plurality ofhorizontal rows of valueindicating figures adapted to indicate. valuesat various rates per unit. The graduated beam J, as shown, is graduatedfor four pounds, and the poise N, which slides upon this beam, is ofsuch weight as to balanceon the load-plate the weight which the poiseindicates upon the beam. This selection of four pounds as the capacityof the scale without counterweights is arbitrary, and the scale may beorganized for any capacity. Being organized to weigh four pounds, theprimary rows g of Value-indicating iigures on the chart .are calculatedto indicate the value of four pounds or fractions thereof at the various`rates per pound. Take, for-example, the value-indicating row g,associated with the rate of eight cents per pound, as shown. The poiseN, or rather a pointer n, carried by the the graduated beam J points orregisters with the figure S in this row, provided, of course, the rowhas been brought into View beneath the slot e in the case. arecalculated to show the values at other rates per pound of articlesbalanced by the poise alone, there being as many of such rows as aredesired. Any row of value-indicating figures on this chart may bebrought beneath the slot e by turning the upper roller or chartcarrier,the shaft of which projects through at one end of the case and has asmall handwheel m secured to its projecting end.

As before stated, the capacity of the scale may be increased by placingcounter-weights on the platform D. These weights maybe of any size, butit is best to employ weights whose value is equal to the normal capacityof the scale (in the present case four pounds) or some multiple thereof.The actual weight of any article on the load-platform is ascertained byadding the weight value of the counterweight used to the weightindicated by the poise when the scale is in the balance. Thus if afour-pound counterweight is placed on the weight-platform D and thepoise indiis in balance the article being weighed weighs five pounds. Ifthe counterweight of the platform D is eight pounds, the weight of thenine pounds. l

poise, when the poise indicates one pound on Other rows g cates onepound on the beam J when the beam article under the circumstancesassumed is On the value-chart or endless belt G there are as manysupplemental rows of value-indicatin g figures associated with each rateper 4pound as are desired, each of these addi` tional rows being adaptedto indicate the value at the selected rate of any article balanced by aselected counterweight plus the poise. The row of value-figuresindicated by g in Fig. 2 shows the value of four pounds plus the weightindicated by the poise on the beam J. Therefore the first figure in thisrow g', associated with the rate of eight cents per pound, will be 32,which is the value offour pounds at eight cents per pound. The value offive pounds in row g', 40, is in line below the Value of one pound inrow g, and the other figures are correspondingly arranged, being in allcases the value at the selected rate of the article balanced by thefour-pound eounterweight plus the poise. The row of figures indicated byg2 shows the value of eight pounds plus the weight indicated by thepoise when the scale is in the balance. Thus at the rate of eight centsper pound the first figure in this row is 64. be as many ot' theseadditional. rows as desired corresponding with the number of additionalweights which it is proposed to use. The row g'/ is directly below therow g, and the row g2 is directly below it. Rows corresponding with gand g2 are placed in like relation to the rows g, associated with all ofthe other rates per pound.

Means are provided whereby after the valuechart has been set at theproper rate-that is to say, so set that the principal row g,'asso ciatedwith the selected rate, will be brought beneath the slot e-the additionof a counterweight to the holder D will cause the chart to move to carrybeneath the slot e that one of the rows g g2 of value-figures whichindicates the value of an article which would be counterbalanced by theadded weight and the poise.

The weight-holder is a plate D, which is vertically movable relative tothe crotch-bar C and beam A. It is upheld by suitable means, wherebywhen a counterweight is placed upon the holder said holder will descendmore or less relative to the crotch-bar C, and mechanism is providedwhereby this relative downward movement of the platform is transmittedto the chart carrier or roller M in such manner that the roller isturned to bring below the slot e that row of value-indicating figureswhich is associated with the added weight. The precise construction ofthe mechanism for this purpose which the drawings show is the following:The crotchbar C has between its ends a depression or cup c3. are the twopairs of ears c', to which the two levers R R' are pivoted. The feet CZ,which are secured to the underside of the plate D, are pivotallyconnected with the outer ends of these levers.

On the opposite sides of this depression There may IOO IIO

The threaded stems of hooks r pass loosely through holes in the innerends of these levers and are adj ustably upheld by the nuts r. The lowerends of these hooks engage with the loop s' upon the upper end of anexpansible coiled spring S, the lower end of which is secured to thebottom of the depression c3. This spring is of such force as to normallyuphold the holder D in substantially the position shown; but it willyield and permit the holder to move downward a distance proportionate tothe weight placed upon it. Thus if a four-pound weight depresses theplatform one-fourth of an inch an eight-pound weight will depress itonehalf an inch, and so on. Mounted upon the projecting end of theroller-shaft m is a circular disk T, havinga serrated edge and arm t. Acrank-arm r3 is attached to one ot the levers R, and a link fr'1 ispivotally connected at its ends with this crank-arm and with the arm t.On the inner side of the hand-wheel m a spring-pawl m3 is mounted, andit engages with the serrated edge of the disk. One may take hold of thishand-wheel and turn the roller without moving the serrated disk, becausethe pawl will slip over its serrated edge, and by this movement of theroller any one of the primary rows g of value-indieating figures on thechart may be brought beneath the slot. It mightbe here stated that in acolumn at the right of the horizontal rows of value-indicating figuresare the figures g4, (shown in Figs. l and 2,) indicating the variousrates per pound, and these various figures are so arranged that they ap`pear through the hole e in the case E when the primary row ofvalue-indicating figures at the rate indicated by said figures isbeneath the slot e. When the chart has been adjusted, as abovedescribed, with the proper row of value-indicating figures beneath theslot e, a Weight is placed upon the holder D in a central depression d2therein. This causes the holder to descend a distance proportionate tosuch weight, and this down ward movement of the holder is transmittedthrough the described mechanism to the cylinder M, with the result thatsuoli cylinder is caused to turn A a distance proportionate to thedownward movement of said holder, whereby the proper row-ofvalue-indicating figures is brought beneath the slot e. For example, ifa fourpound weight be 4placed upon holder D it results in moving thecylinder a small distance only, but far enough to bring the associatedrow g beneath the slot e. It an eight-pound weight be added, thecylinder is moved farther, so as to bring the associated row g2 beneaththe slot. In any event when the poise is moved along bar J, so as tobring the scale to balance, the pointer which said poise carries pointsto a figure on the chart, which indicates the value in cents at theselected rate of the article on the load-platform.

The poise N is provided with a foot n, through which a hole n2 isformed, the pointer 'n being extended partly across this hole. This footts in the slot e. To opposite sides of this foot are secured the ends ofan endless vribbon W, which extends in the slot to both ends thereof andaround the four rollers e3 e5, mounted on the ends of the case. Thisribbon conceals from view all of the value-in- 'dicatin g gures'excepting only those which may be seen through the hole in the foot, andit likewise prevents to a large degree the settling of dust on thecomputing-chart.

I have shown what I believe to be the best form of mechanism forsecuring the vertical movement of the counterweight-holder and fortransmitting such movementto the valueindicating chart to cause itsmovement as described; but I have no desire or intention that the claimsshall be limited to this specilic mechanism, except when plainly solimited by their terms, for I believe that I am the first to employ witha Value-indicating chart of this general character in a scale any meanswhereby the additions of a counterweight will automatically shift thevalue-indicating chart so as to bring into the readingline a row ofvalue-indicating figures which indicate the value of any articlebalanced by said weight and the poise.

As has been suggested at another point in this specification, a weightor weights may be used in place of the spring S as the means forsupporting the weight-upholding platform. Such a weight is indicated indotted lines in Fig. 4 as being suspended from the hooks r.

Having described my invention, I claim as new- 1. In a scale thecombination of a pivoted beam, and movable poise, a movablevalueindieating chart supported by said beam, said chart having for eachrate per unit two rows of value indications, one for indicating thevalue ot' articles balanced by the poise alone and one for indicatingthe value of articles balanced by the poise and an added counterweight,with a counterweight-holder which is yieldingly supported on the beamand is movable relative thereto under the influence of thecounter-Weight, and mechanism intermediate of said counterweight-holderand chart whereby the former moves the latter to bring a new row oiindications on the chart into the reading-line, substantially asspecified.

2. In a scale the combination of a pivoted beam, a bar pivotallysupported on one end of said beam, levers pivoted to said bar, acounterweight-holder supported on said levers, and a yielding devicewhich normally prevents the rocking of said levers and consequentdepression of said holder but yields and permits such movement of thevlevers and holder when a eounterweight is placed upon the latter, witha movable value-indicating chart having a plurality of rows ofvalue-indicating figures associated with each rate per unit, andmechanism intermediate of one of said levers and chart whereby themovement of the former is transmitted to the chart, substantially as andfor the purpose specified.

3. In a scale the combination of a pivoted IOO IIO

beam, a bar pivotally supported on one end of said beam, levers pivotedto said bar; and a counterweight-holder yieldingly supported on saidlever and adapted to be depressed relative to the bar by the addition ofa counter- Weight, with a rotating chart-carrier mounted 'on the beam,an oscillating clutching device mounted concentric with saidchart-carrier, a crank-arm on one of the levers and a lin k connectingsaid crank-arm and clutching device, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

et. In a scale the combination of a pivoted beam, a bar pivotallysupported on one end of said beam, a counterweight-holder yieldinglysupported by said bar and adapted to be depressed relative thereto bythe addition of a counterweight,with a rotatable chart-carrier Amountedon the beam, a serrated disk and spring-pawl, one loosely mounted on theshaf t of said carrier and one secured thereto, and vmechanismconnecting said loosely-mounted member and yielding counterweight-holderwhereby the movement of the latter causes a movement of the former uponits axis, substantially as specified.

5. In a scale the combination of a pivoted beam, a bar pivotallysupported on one end of said beam, levers mounted on said bar, aeounterweight-holder pivotally supported on the outer ends of saidlevers, and a yielding device engaging with the inner ends of saidlevers with a rotatable chart-carrier, a mechanism whereby the downwardmovement of the holder relative to the beam turns said chart-carrier,substantially as specified.

6. In a scale the combination of a pivoted beam having two alinedfulcrum-pivots,a computing-chart case of oblong cross-section secured tosaid beam and extending downwardly and rearwardly under one of thebeam-pivots, said case having a longitudinal slot, with a movablecomputing-chart in said case, having a plurality of horizontal rows ofvalue-indicating figures and adapted to bc moved to bring a row beneathsaid slot, and a movable poise for registering with saidvalue-indicating figures.

7. In a scale the combination of a pivoted beam, a computing-chart casesecured to said beam having a longitudinal slot, and a movablecomputing-chart in said ease, having a plurality of rows ofvalue-indicating figures, with a movable poise having a foot extendedvover said slot, said foot having a hole through which the figures onthe chart may be read, an endless ribbon secured at its ends to saidpoise and extending in both directions therefrom in said slot, androllers at the end of the stessi slot and in the case, around which saidribbon passes, substantially as specifieoh S. In a scale the combinationof a pivoted beam, a sliding poise, a rotatable chart-carrier secured tothe beam, a counterweightholder supported on one end of the beam andvertically movable relative thereto, means for resisting the downwardmovement of said holder, and mechanism intermediate of said holder andchart-carrier whereby the downward movement of the former causes thelatter to turn upon its axis, substantially as specified.

9. In a scale the combination of a pivoted beam, a sliding poise, a barpivoted on one end of said beam, levers pivoted to said bar and acounterweight-holder pivotally connected with the ends of said levers,with an expansible coil-spring connected at its upper end with the innerends of said levers and at its lower end with said bar, a rotatablechartcarrier having associated with each rate per unit two rows ofvalue-indicating figures, one adapted to indicate values of the loadcounterbalanced by the poise alone and one the value of the loadcounterbalanced by the poise and a c'ounterweight on said holder, andmechanism intermediate of said levers and chartcarrier whereby theformer moves the latter, substantially as specified.

l0. In a scale the combination ol a pivoted beam, a sliding poise, a barpivoted on one end of said beam, levers pivoted to said bar and acounterweight-holder pivotally connected with the ends of said levers,with an eXpansible coil-spring connected at its upper end with the innerends of said levers and at its lower end with said bar, a rotatablechartcarrier having associated with each rate per unit two rows ofvalue-indicating figures, one adapted to indicate values of the loadcounterbalanced by the poise alone, and the other to indicate values ofarticles balanced by the poise and a counterweight on said holder, aserrated disk loosely mounted on the shaft of said rotatablechart-carrier, a hand-Wheel secured to said shaft, a spring-pawl carriedby said hand-wheel, a crank-arm on one of the levers which supports thecounterweightholder, and a link connecting said crank-arm with theserrated disk, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses. JOHN V. CULMER. Witnesses:

ELLA SNYDER, PHILIP E. KNowLroN.

IOS)

